Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
CHAPTER THREE
Kason
I really like Anthony. This date is going great so far, if I do say so myself.
We both ordered teriyaki chicken and rice, then got a platter of different rolls to share. There are hardly any lulls in the conversation, Anthony laughing at the stories I share and asking lots of questions. Sometimes it feels like people just ask things because they know they should but without really caring. It’s not like that with Anthony. It’s clear that the words coming out of his mouth are authentic, that he doesn’t just ask or say things because he should, but because he’s really interested. What I also notice is he doesn’t talk about himself or his past much—just playful comments here and there but nothing deep outside of what he mentioned about his grandfather.
I will never understand how someone can walk away from their family. Granted, I don’t have all the details, but it’s mind-boggling to me. Rylan had a similar situation with his father, who only wanted back into Rylan’s life when he went pro. By then, Rylan didn’t need him. He had his mom and his stepfather, who always loved Rylan like his own.
“You and your family are close?” Anthony asks.
“Yeah. It’s me, my parents, and my sister and her wife. I miss them. They’re in Wisconsin.”
“That’s where you grew up?”
“Yeah. The Milwaukee area. Have you been?”
“Nope.”
“I’ll have to take you sometime. It’s a beautiful state.”
He frowns, but before I can wonder why, it slips from his face.
“What’s your favorite thing about it?” he asks, and damn, I’ve never had someone ask me that before. What a cool question. I don’t even have an answer for him right away, but I’m still glad he asked.
“Let’s see…”
“Cheese?” he teases.
“I mean, that’s obviously high on the list,” I joke back.
“Oh, I’ve got it. Beer.”
“Do you want to answer this question or should I?”
Anthony laughs. “I’m sorry. Go ahead. I just didn’t know it would take so long.”
“That’s because you keep talking,” I say, using my most flirtatious voice so he knows I’m being playful.
He pretends to lock his full lips and throw away the key. “My lips are sealed.”
I cock my head.
“Starting now, asshole.”
I chuckle, enjoying myself even more than I thought I would. I mull over his question, probably taking it more seriously than the situation calls for. “I can’t say just one thing… Cherry blossoms in Door County. They bloom for about two weeks in May, and it’s beautiful. The museums in Milwaukee, and Lake Winnebago. Other lakes too, but I have lots of Lake Winnebago memories growing up—snow in winter, hockey, and my family.” There’s no professional team in Wisconsin, but it’s where I learned to play, so I’ll always associate home with hockey.
I watch Anthony for a moment. He twists the hoop in his nose, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s unsure. I rack my brain, trying to figure out what I might have done wrong, but then he says, “That was a really beautiful answer.”
Oh.
I grin.
He makes me do that a lot.
“Did I just add to my infinity points? Because I’m fairly certain I did.”
“I think you’re a lot cockier than you appear, Kason Maddox.”
I shrug because while I’m not Rylan Pierce levels, he’s not wrong. “What about you? What’s your favorite thing about…”
“Missouri.”
No idea why, but I didn’t expect that.
“Can there be a favorite thing about Missouri?” he asks.
“You’re a brat. Tell me something you loved about growing up. Anything.”
“Dance,” falls from his lips without hesitation. God, he really is beautiful—tanned skin, brown hair that’s longer than mine, hanging down over one side of his forehead, and these unique green eyes. I don’t even know how to describe the color. “Always dance in every situation. I wouldn’t have made it through most of my life without it.”
What has Anthony been through? He’s made enough comments for me to know he hasn’t had it easy. I don’t ever want to push, but I hope one day he’ll be comfortable opening up to me, sharing those secrets that I think make him feel alone.
“Did you always love it?”
“Yes. I remember being a toddler, and every time there was music playing, I was moving. Sometimes when there wasn’t. I would just create it in my head. It was always safe there.”
“Dancing, or in your head?”
He crosses his arms. “Stop trying to make me talk, name twin.”
“I like hearing you speak.” I shrug.
He opens his mouth to respond, and I’m maybe more excited than I should be to hear what he’s going to say, but then Sota interrupts us, asking, “Would you like dessert?” and breaking the moment. Thanks for that, man.
“I’m good. How about you?” Anthony asks.
“I’m fine.” I already ate my weight tonight. All I need is to feel like shit before practice tomorrow.
“One check or two?” Sota asks.